Father of fallen Marine to throw first pitch at Las Vegas 51s game

Richard and Rosemarie Perez first took their 2-year-old son to a baseball video game in 1987 to peer the Las Vegas Stars, now time-honored because the Las Vegas 51s, play the El Paso Chihuahuas.

“i ponder if he’ll play,” she remembers telling her husband.

however for some intent, in his head, Richard Perez saw a vision of his son as a militia man, in the desert.

And sure sufficient, Richard Perez Jr. joined the Marine Reserves in 2003 after graduating from Coronado excessive faculty.

Lance Cpl. Perez died in a truck situs judi online accident close Ramadi, Iraq, on Feb. 10, 2005 — eight days earlier than he was imagined to return home. He turned into 19.

At 7:05 p.m. this Memorial Day, his father will throw the first pitch at the Las Vegas 51s video game versus the Tacoma Rainiers. he will throw the ceremonial pitch in his son’s reminiscence.

“not best am I throwing this pitch for him, I suppose like I’m doing it for all those guys who served our country,” the father talked about. “Say a bit some thing in my head for all these guys, a bit prayer for them — thanks for what you’ve carried out — and get that pitch over the plate. And with agen sbobet a bit of luck I throw a strike.”

Out on the field, he’ll wear No. 21. His son became born Sept. 21, 1985.

within the years considering that his demise, many have honored Richard Perez Jr.

a name of a road close Coronado excessive faculty turned into changed to rich Perez Jr. pressure, and he grew to be a recipient of the Hawaii Medal of Honor for Marine Corps heroes.

UNLV, where he hoped to play baseball, gave his agen judi bola terpercaya family unit honorary military commencement cords. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama despatched the household letters. Artists from around the nation sent sketches of the young defense force man.

the primary word Richard Perez Jr. blurted out as a young youngster become “Mookie,” throughout the 1986 new york Mets playoff game, whereas observing outfielder William Hayward “Mookie” Wilson.

as the oldest of four infants, he sorted his three sisters. His father pointed out he changed into individuals-oriented, knowing and a pal to all.

“He did first-rate things in Iraq, and had agen judi piala dunia he made it lower back, I’m bound he would have carried out amazing things for the people,” the elder Perez said.

Richard Perez Jr. was a senior in high faculty when he instructed his father, who had picked him up after his shift at a Jack within the field, “I suppose I wanna be a part of the Marine Corps.”

“Oh, you don’t wanna do this. We’re in the core of a warfare,” his father advised him.

but, Richard Perez Sr. instructed the Las Vegas assessment-Journal, “It changed into like a fondness. He just needed to go.”

His son was buried at forest garden-Hollywood Hills in Southern California. at the military-style funeral, the Marines stood in the rain.

After the provider, the rain ceased, and a vibrant rainbow enveloped the younger man’s headstone.

The Marines paid their respects and folded up an American flag, with shell casings from the 21-gun salute wrapped inside.

Richard Perez Sr. maintains it safely encased upstairs in his Henderson domestic, in a room this is coated wall-to-wall with accolades, pictures and different tributes to his son, wife and daughters.

“It’s an unbreakable bond,” he referred to. “which you could nonetheless see, he’s part of the family. He’s nonetheless with us.”

earlier than Richard Perez Sr., 54, heard the news of his son’s death, he and his spouse were in Hawaii for the 2005 pro Bowl, where the daddy changed into working as a sports announcer for Corp.

earlier that day, he felt a ache in his chest, as if a person had hit him with a baseball bat. whatever didn’t suppose appropriate. And when a Marine essential pulled them apart and took off his cap, they knew it became deplorable information.

“I talked to him three days before,” the father stated of his son. “He became ready to come home.”

earlier than the younger man deployed to Iraq, Richard Perez Sr. grabbed him through the arm.

“Your spirit is powerful, and no depend what you do or what happens to you, you need to get lower back to me,” he instructed him.

Now, the father says, “He did that, and that i basically consider that.”

Briana Erickson at bericksonreviewjournalm or 702-387-5244. follow brianarerick on Twitter.